The Federal Road Safety Corps has ordered the nationwide deployment of personnel and operational logistics for its 2026 Eid el-Fitr special patrol operations, aimed at ensuring safe travel during the festive period.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, said the operation will run from March 17 to March 22, 2026, as part of efforts to reduce road crashes and maintain smooth traffic flow on major highways across Nigeria.
In a statement on Monday, the Corps Public Education Officer, Felicia Kalu, quoted Mohammed as explaining that the special patrol aligns with the corps’ statutory responsibility of promoting safer road use nationwide. It will involve increased patrol visibility, strategic deployment of rescue teams, and intensified public enlightenment campaigns to guide motorists during the Sallah celebrations.
He said, “The Corps Marshal, FRSC, Shehu Mohammed mni, has ordered the nationwide deployment of personnel and logistics for the 2026 Eid-El-Fitri Special Patrol Operations scheduled to hold from 17 to 22 March 2026, as part of efforts to guarantee safe travels for motorists during the festive period.
“The special patrol, which is in line with the Corps’ statutory responsibility of ensuring safer road use across Nigeria, is designed to reduce road traffic crashes, fatalities, and injuries while ensuring free flow of traffic on major highways.
“The operation will witness increased patrol visibility, strategic deployment of rescue teams, and enhanced public enlightenment campaigns to guide motorists and other road users during the Sallah celebrations.”
Mohammed noted that the Eid el-Fitr period is usually characterised by heavy vehicular movement as Muslim faithful travel to celebrate with families and loved ones, adding that the corps has mobilised its operational assets to manage the expected surge in traffic.
He explained that the FRSC will maintain 24-hour patrol operations along critical road corridors nationwide, supported by standby rescue teams, ambulances, tow trucks, patrol vehicles, and motorcycles to ensure prompt response to emergencies.
“The operation will also focus on the immediate removal of obstructions on highways and close monitoring of traffic situations to minimise delays for road users,” he added.
The corps said enforcement during the period would target major traffic violations such as speeding, dangerous overtaking, tyre infractions, lane indiscipline, road obstruction, overloading, mix-loading of passengers and goods, seat-belt violations, and the use of mechanically deficient vehicles.
As part of the strategy, sector commanders have been directed to ensure the full deployment of operational equipment, including patrol vehicles, advanced life support ambulances, tow trucks, radar guns, breathalysers, traffic cones, patrol motorcycles, and communication gadgets.
Special Marshals are also expected to support traffic control activities across commands during the operation.
Mohammed further said the corps would collaborate with other security and emergency agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire Service, and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, to ensure rapid response to emergencies and maintain order on the highways.
In addition, he said the corps would utilise its traffic broadcast platform, National Traffic Radio 107.1FM, to provide real-time traffic updates, travel advisories, and alternative route guidance for motorists throughout the operation.
Mohammed wished Muslim faithful a peaceful Eid-el-Fitri celebration and urged motorists to cooperate with FRSC personnel by obeying traffic rules, avoiding speeding, and ensuring their vehicles are roadworthy while travelling.
The deployment comes as authorities intensify measures to manage the anticipated surge in vehicular movement across Nigeria during the Eid-el-Fitri festivities, a period often associated with increased road traffic and a higher risk of crashes on major highways.
Credit: punchng.com
